Pesto is a sauce originating in Northern Italy and traditionally consists of crushed garlic, basil and pine nuts and blended with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. The name “Pesto” means to pound, to crush, in reference to the original method of preparing of the ingredients. In our more conventionally made pesto the ingredients are not “pounded” or “ground” with a circular motion of the pestle in the mortar, but rather well processed in a food processor.

Ingredients in our modern-day Pesto Sauces have evolved to a wide variety of ingredients.  As long as you have the basic elements, a Pesto Sauce can be made. I love how Pesto is used in so many ways and incorporated in so many different ways as well.

Pesto spread on fresh-cut french bread and broiled for a few minutes makes a great snack or accompaniment to your favourite pasta or stew. I enjoy adding Pesto to rice…